EP227: The Future of NZ Finance: The insurance Trifecta (Lucas Yeung / Invicta financial)
Across The Table With David MelseShow Notes
For episode 227, we sit down with Lucas Yeung, the co-founder of Invicta Financial, for a deep dive into his journey from being "young, dumb, and broke" to leading one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing financial services firms. Recorded on-site at their Christchurch office, this conversation marks Lucas’s first appearance on the podcast and explores the story of his career. Lucas recounts the humble beginnings of Invicta, which he started alongside his co-founder Tom just five years ago. Operating from a kitchen table in a small townhouse, the pair built the foundation of what has now become a multi-city operation. The business has since expanded rapidly into Auckland and Wellington, with Lucas sharing exciting updates on their brand new Queen Street office currently under renovation to accommodate their growing team. A major theme of the episode is Lucas’s vision for a "one-stop shop" in the financial sector. He explains why Invicta is moving away from the traditional niche model of financial advice to create a seamless experience where clients can manage mortgages, insurance, and KiwiSaver all under one roof. He provides a fascinating breakdown of the synergy between insurance and KiwiSaver, detailing how they use insurance for immediate protection while building a client's KiwiSaver balance to a point where it can eventually "take over" the risk as premiums naturally rise with age. The conversation also touches on the realities of scaling a service-based business. Lucas reflects on the pivotal decision to grow beyond a two-man operation, highlighting the success of their first employee, Jared, who joined at age 20 and has since become a cornerstone of their management team. Looking toward the future, Lucas doesn't hold back on his ambitions, discussing the goal of dominating the New Zealand "trifecta" of major cities and the long-term dream of potentially taking the company public—a rare feat in the local financial industry. Finally, Lucas pulls back the curtain on the world of lead generation and marketing. He describes the mechanics of buying leads for insurance comparisons and why Invicta is shifting its strategy this year to focus on building a household brand name. Whether you're interested in the inner workings of the New Zealand financial landscape or the grit required to scale a startup from a kitchen table to a national presence, this episode offers a transparent and inspiring look at modern entrepreneurship.
Check out Invicta Financial here: www.invictafinancial.co.nz ___________________ We’d like to thank our sponsor for this episode, Rosefern Homes. Check them out here:www.rosefernhomes.co.nz ___________________ Produced by Buddy Booth
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